The Phoenix band, The Reflection, on stage at the Big Fish Pub, Sept. 10
Photo by Temple A. Stark
The Reflection are local boys; a prototypical, meat-and-potatoes bar band who just played straight-ahead blues-bar rock. They set a solid base to launch from.
The Los Angeles band, The Colour, drummer Nathan Warkentin not pictured, on stage at the Big Fish Pub, Sept. 10
Photo by Temple A. Stark
The Colour: All I know is that they had stage presence and they were the second best band of the night. And while that was centered around the Jim Morrison looks, vibe and mood of their lead singer Wyatt Hull, they all played tight and got the first real prolonged audience participation. If it's an act, it seems to come very naturally to Hull and nothing seemed forced. He also seems to shed much of the look anyway once he's off the stage, which surprised me. (It is likely no coincidence their last two UK releases are on the Lizard King Records label). You can hear a couple of their songs and see a video here. The LA Band is ::: singer Wyatt Hull, Luke MacMaster, lead guitar / vocals, Davey Quon, rhythm guitar / vocals, Nathan Warkentin, drums / vocals, Derek Heule, bass
Logan Baren, lead singer with The Redwalls gets close to the mic to make sure he's heard, on stage at the Big Fish Pub, Sept. 10
Photo by Temple A. Stark
The Redwalls: As mentioned most of the audience was there to see these guys. And they got the biggest welcome cheer of the night as they took the stage. Now for me, they are markedly different live than they are in the studio. Gone was any sense of polish and they seemed much closer to the punk rock cred they have apparently cultivated.
Bassist Justin Baren, with The Redwalls, on stage at the Big Fish Pub, Sept. 10
Photo by Temple A. Stark
I had not heard much Redwalls' material, but I hardly recognized any of what I had heard on stage. I have a slight feeling they may have let success get to their heads. Either that or it was just an off-night. The Chicago band is ::: vocalist/guitarist Logan Baren, 22, bassist/vocalist Justin Baren, 20, guitarist/vocalist Andrew Langer, 20, and drummer Ben Greeno, 21.
Article comments
1 - Bob A. Booey
That looks like one hot, sweaty club.
The Redwalls are nice, really young kids (all in their early 20s) from a wealthy Chicago sburb who've been a band since their high school days, but I don't really think this band is worth the hype.
They're clearly doing retro Beatles and British invasion style rock, but it's not what's going to make them the next big thing in rock. I caught their set at Lollapalooza this year and people didn't seem to be that enthused, from the relatively small crowd and its reaction.
The Redwalls, I think, have to find their own sound and voice and I'm sure they will since they're very young guys. Hopefully, they'll still have the attention of the public and be able to profit from it as well rather than being on a small label when they find their voice.
That is all.
2 - Eric Olsen
Super, super job on this Temple - great pics, thanks! This is the sort of direct, you-are-there coverage that shows us to our best advantage.
3 - Jones Violet
That's a really great write up, Temple. I've never been to the Big Fish Pub, but it looks like my kind of place!
Wonderful photos, as well.
4 - Temple Stark
Thanks. I'm in love with the camera I had (but don't myself own). I was very pleasantly suprised. It lit up the room, this flash, no doubt helped by the sheets on the walls at the back.
5 - Connie Phillips
I really enjoyed reading this, Temple, and I loved the pictures. I know first hand just how hard concerts can be to photograph and these are great!